Arabian Crown (FR) training at Woodbine ahead of the Canadian International (G1) (Michael Burns Photo)
TORONTO, September 30, 2026 – The $750,000 Canadian International brings together a stellar international field of turf stars, including Godolphin’s Arabian Crown (FR), for the prestigious Grade 1 event this Saturday at Woodbine.
The 86th running of the International will see seven runners vie for top prize in the 1 ½-mile race contested over the E.P. Taylor turf. Coverage of the race starts at 5 p.m. ET and airs on CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and the CBCSports YouTube channel.
Saturday’s exceptional card also features the $250,000 Nearctic Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G2T), $200,000 bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2T) and $250,000 bet365 Algonquin Stakes (G3T).
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby return to Woodbine after teaming to win the Woodbine Mile (G1T) for the second straight year with Notable Speech (GB), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, on Sept. 12.
In 2021, Godolphin and Appleby won the International when Walton Street (GB) powered to a 5 ¾-length score with Frankie Dettori in the irons. In 2023, Godolphin, Appleby and William Buick teamed with Nations Pride (IRE) for a 2 ¼-length triumph. Last year, Nations Pride (IRE) was third to Silawi (IRE).
Goldolphin also won the race in 2000 with Mutafaweq and in 2004 with Sulamani (IRE).
This time, their hopes come in the form of Arabian Crown (FR), a multiple graded stakes winner seeking his first victory at the Grade 1 level.
Bred by 4 0 Gb Partnership, the 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) out of the Dubai Destination mare Dubai Rose (GB) brings a mark of 6-1-2 ($342,718) from 13 starts into his first North American engagement.
“Much to the credit of his sire, he is a strong, scopey type who has continued to improve with age,” said Appleby.
The gelding recorded his third Group 3 victory (he won the G3 Zetland Stakes at 2 and G3 Classic Trial at 3) in the Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 12.
Gaucher got within a neck of Arabian Crown (FR) heading for home, but the bay was resolute en route to a 2 ¼-length triumph in the 1 ½-mile fixture.
“He travelled very well and quickened away impressively over the final two furlongs,” said Appleby. “He beat a solid Group 3 field that day, and the win has given him a great deal of confidence.”
One race prior, he was second to champion Rebel’s Romance in July’s G2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes. The latter, also a Godolphin runner, was retired after that victory, having won 22 races, nine of them Group or Grade 1 wins, including two Breeders’ Cup Turf crowns, in a career that spanned seven seasons and produced £12.2m in purse earnings.
“His [Arabian Crown (FR)] win at Sandown as a 3-year-old was visually impressive, but his performance in the Princess of Wales’s this summer also highlighted his tenacious attitude when he finished second to our stable stalwart, Rebel’s Romance,” said Appleby.
Appleby believes the E.P. Taylor is perfectly suited for his latest International contender.
“The ground is always maintained to a very high standard, and the galloping track should suit his running style,” said Appleby. “He has won on both soft and good-to-firm ground. That is the beauty of the Dubawi’s – they are such versatile individuals.”
Multiple graded stakes winner Tawny Port finished second, just a nose back of winner Silawi (IRE), in last year’s Canadian International.
Trained by Miguel Clement for Peachtree Stable, the 7-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile out of the Macho Uno mare Livi Makenzie has fashioned a mark of 7-6-5 ($2,801,361) from 34 starts.
“I’m feeling great,” said Clement. “He won the Bowling Green (2 and 1/16 miles over the turf at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9) in his last start and he’s also doing great. He’s 7, yet somehow, he keeps improving. He’s a pleasure to watch and I feel like he’s aging like fine wine.
“He was an unlucky second in this race last year (run on the inner turf), but this track (E.P. Taylor) should suit his running style.”
The dark bay, bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, LLC, is in good order ahead of his return engagement.
“He is so enthusiastic in his training that you don’t have to train him overly tough, which is ironic considering he’s running those longer distances,” said Clement. “But he thrives with that (lighter training) and he’s a happy horse. He runs much better when he’s happier. He’s feeling like King Kong rather than being trained aggressively.”
Sahin Civaci gets the call on Saturday.
“This horse has been a lot of fun,” said Clement. “I expect a good performance. As long as there is firm turf, we should see a solid performance.”
Woodbine-based Dancin in Da’nile is 4-5-5 from 35 career starts and has amassed career purse earnings of $477,162. Bred by Sam-Son Farm, the multiple graded stakes-placed dark bay is a son of Pioneerof the Nile out of the Awesome Again mare Dance Again. The 7-year-old is trained by Gail Cox, who co-owns with Ralph Murray, John Menary, and Michael Balaz.
Ancient Egypt (IRE), a 3-year-old son of Frankel (GB) out of the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Atone (GB), is owned by Amo Racing USA LLC and trained by Charlie Johnston. Sold for 1,100,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling sale, he won the 2026 Newmarket Stakes, along with novice stakes victories at Goodwood and Beverley during his 2025 campaign. He is 3-2-0 from eight starts, accompanied by $385,691 in purse earnings. He was bred by Yulong Investments (Australia) Pty.
Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock LLC, Il Siciliano will make his first appearance in Canada. The 5-year-old son of Yoshida (JPN) out of the Old Trieste mare Heatherdoesntbluff is 2-3-3 ($209,170) from 21 starts for owner Korina Stable. Trained by Antonio Sano, the chestnut won his latest start, a 1 3/8-mile race over the Saratoga inner turf on Aug. 8.
Trained by Dermot Weld for owner and breeder Juddmonte Farms, Purview (GB) won the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes at The Curragh on June 28. The 4-year-old son of Kingman (GB) out of the Sea The Stars (IRE) mare Variable (GB) is 4-2-1 from eight starts, along with $191,424 in purse earnings.
Graded stakes-winning Tomasello heads into his first Grade 1 test off a gutsy half-length win in the Singspiel Stakes (G3T), run at 1 3/8 miles over the E.P. Taylor turf on Sept. 5. Trained by Mark Casse for Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and T-N-T Equine Holdings LLC, the 4-year-old son of Authentic out of the War Front mare Dakota Queen, bred in Kentucky by Barry Becker and Judith Becker, is 5-2-2 ($520,882) from 12 starts.
Fast facts: Joshua Tree (IRE) is the only three-time winner of the Canadian International with successes in 2010, 2012, and 2013, along with a second-place finish in 2011. Other notable winners include Secretariat, All Along, Chief Bearhart, Singspiel, Youth, Snow Knight, Dahlia, and George Royal.
Wagering menu for the Canadian International: Rolling Double / Exacta / 0.20 Trifecta / .20 Superfecta / 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 9-10-11) / $1 Swinger
Field for the Grade 1 Canadian International
Post position – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Arabian Crown (FR) – Jamie Spencer – Charlie Appleby
2 – Dancin in Da’nile – Pietro Moran – Gail Cox
3 – Purview (GB) – Christopher Hayes – Dermot Weld
4 – Il Siciliano – Rafael Hernandez – Antonio Sano
5 – Ancient Egypt (IRE) – David Egan – Charlie Johnston
6 – Tomasello – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mark Casse
7 – Tawny Port – Sahin Civaci – Miguel Clement
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Chris Lomon, Woodbine
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